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NIOSH Announces New Publication Highlighting the Use of No-Nose (Noseless) Bicycle Saddles

NIOSH Update:

Contact: Christina Bowles (202) 245-0633April 22, 2009

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued a new publication recommending the use of no-nose, or noseless, bicycle saddles in the prevention of genital numbness and sexual dysfunction in workers who ride bicycles as part of their job.

NIOSH studies have shown that male bicycle patrol officers who spend an average of 25 hours a week on traditional bicycle saddles reported groin and genital numbness and more severe sexual problems. Previous NIOSH studies showed that the pressure on a traditional bicycle saddle in the area under the rider's groin is approximately 2.90 pounds per square inch during cycling, and can go up as high as 5.37 pounds per square inch. The pressure on the groin area compresses nerves and arteries that run through the groin between the sit bones, the bones located under the flesh of the butt, to the genitals. Over time, the pressure exerted on these nerves and arteries may lead to a loss of sensation and a decrease in blood supply to the genitals.

"Improving the quality of life for workers is an important part of workplace safety and health," said NIOSH Acting Director Christine M. Branche, Ph.D. "NIOSH is dedicated to improving the lives of workers and is pleased to see this research being put into practice for the benefit of these workers."

NIOSH studies have shown that no-nose bicycle saddles greatly reduced the pressure in the groin area, to approximately 1.02 pounds per square inch on average. The no-nose saddles also placed very little pressure forward of the sit bones, where the nerves and arteries for the genitals pass through. A 2008 NIOSH study found that more than 90% of officers on bicycle patrol who had tried using the no-nose saddles were still using them after 6 months and reporting that they believed the saddles could be used safely and effectively in their work.

In addition to employing no-nose bicycle saddles, the publication provides additional recommendations for reducing cyclists' risk from bicycle saddle pressure. These include seeking guidance on proper bicycle fit from a trained specialist, dismounting the bicycle when at a standstill, and dismounting the bicycle if you begin to have numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling in any part of your body.